Vito: Now's the time for Sixers to ponder what's next (With Video)

PHILADELPHIA -- In a business in which winning breeds happiness, it would be safe to assume that Jrue Holiday isn't happy. His post-practice attire would lead you to believe otherwise.

Rocking a pair of knee-length gym shorts to match the color pattern of UCLA, his college, and a set of corresponding bright-blue high socks, Holiday looked the part of a guy who's satisfied.

With his look. With his play. Even with his team, which has dropped 13 of 15.

The next step for Holiday and the 76ers isn't nearly as flashy as his wardrobe. It won't be pretty, either.

"It's preparing for the next game," Holiday said, ho-humly.

After the downtrodden Sixers had wrapped up a 90-minute session at PCOM, they headed their separate ways. It's the same thing they'll do 18 games from now, when their regular season comes to a close.

Hoping to compete in the games ahead -- like tonight's against visiting Indiana -- isn't a viable plan for Holiday and the Sixers. Preparing for the future is. When the Sixers woke up Friday, they were in the same position as the day before: Last place in their division, a miracle removed from an Eastern Conference playoff berth, clinging to slim odds that keep them from mathematical exclusion in the postseason race.

Winning almost becomes secondary for this group, which had its postseason fate etched in stone late last month. The Sixers have to figure out which moving parts on their roster will be moving on by season's end.

Giving up on the rest of their doomed campaign hasn't crossed their minds. That doesn't mean experimenting with it shouldn't.

Outside of Holiday and Thaddeus Young -- just about the only consistent pieces on a team that's come to epitomize topsy-turvy -- there are no players guaranteed to remain from this season's cobbled-together group. Beyond them, who knows? Unlike games gone by that had slipped from their grasp, the next five weeks comprise an opportunity the Sixers must seize in order to determine who they are ... and whether the personnel they have can help them get from where they are to where they want to be.

Spencer Hawes and Evan Turner are under contract through next season, though that doesn't assure them a roster spot. Lavoy Allen and Kwame Brown also contractually belong to the Sixers, but don't expect the latter back.

So where do the Sixers go from here? Up to this point, they had pinned their hopes of a late-season turnaround upon Andrew Bynum. The $16.9 million man hasn't panned out the way the Sixers had hoped.

That's why a guy like Arnett Moultrie has to get time, certainly more than the five he played against Miami. The Sixers need to see what they can count on from the rookie forward in Year 2. Sure, he can rebound and he's active around the rim. But can he be more than that?

Guaranteeing him more minutes down the stretch is the only way to find out.

Friday, Sixers coach Doug Collins lauded Moultrie's progression, from a kid who came into camp out of shape because of an ankle setback to one who is capable of garnering considerable minutes in the low post.

Then there are Dorell Wright and Nick Young, who have the scoring potential to stop the bleeding -- now and in the future. Both have expiring deals and both have the potential to return a year from now, assuming they can be had for a contract at or below their current salaries. They're both young enough and jell enough with their teammates to merit an offer.

The Sixers, after falling to reigning champion Miami Wednesday, had a day off. Holiday said he was able to kick back, put his feet up and enjoy himself.

"It was one of those days where you lay in bed and watch movies," he said. "You have the chips, the Doritos, right next to you on the nightstand. I think it was really good."

Off days breed fun. So do wins. And the Sixers have five weeks to determine who can help bridge the gap between the two.